Google have announced their intention to release a new operating system, Chrome OS.  It will be fast and lightweight, and less liable to virus attacks than Windows.  But is it really a replacement for Windows or Mac OS?

Chrome will be based on the Linux kernel, just as Mac Os is, but it’s not going to give you the same functionality as Mac OS or any of the popular versions of Linux.  Chrome OS is really very little more than a dedicated browser, so it is targeted at people who do little more than work online.  Of course, it will do the usual online tasks such as web surfing, emailing, social networking, Twittering etc., but what else will it do?

The first thing to realise is that all applications that you run must be capable of running within a web browser.  This can be fairly limiting, although the number of web-based applications available is increasing all the time.  However, performance of web-based applications is usually much lower than their native counterparts.

Serious gaming is not going to be an option.   You’re not going to be able to run those super-high-resolution, fast, shoot-’em up action games.  Browser applications just haven’t reached that level of capability yet.

And the big killer – Chrome OS is unlikely to be able to run any of the Windows or Mac OS applications you’ve already invested so much money in.

I’m not writing off Chrome OS before it’s released – I’m just making you aware that it will not be a replacement for Windows or Mac OS.

There are plenty of advantages to using Chrome OS though.  It will be small and fast.  When you switch on your PC, it will take just seconds to boot up, and assuming you have an Internet connection available,  you’ll be online as soon as it has finished booting.  It will be ideal for wi-fi enabled, sub-notebook computers, especially for use by people on the move.

Another good thing about this announcement is that it will probably spawn a whole new interest in developing good quality, browser-based applications; something that really could do with a shot in the arm.

The best feature of all though, is the price.  Just like all the various versions of Linux, Chrome OS will be free to download and install.

But I’ll bet dollars to donuts that Google will still make a lot of money off the back of it.  After all, Chrome OS steeers you straight into the web.  Where Google lives and thrives.

Is it a Windows slayer?  No.  Not by a long way.  Will it take off?  Probably.  Especially if Google can cut a deal to pre-load it on some sub-notebook, ultra-portable PCs.  They definitely have the financial clout to do that, and they control one of the most popular online advertising networks, so getting it out there is not going to be a difficult task for them.